Please post your questions with which you would like help. The ALSC ChildTech Listserv was discontinued as of April 1, 2007, because it was fairly inactive. We'll use this spot to fill that need, if it is indeed needed.

Please post your questions with which you would like help. The ALSC ChildTech Listserv was discontinued as of April 1, 2007, because it was fairly inactive. We'll use this spot to fill that need, if it is indeed needed.

Revision as of 12:25, 27 February 2008

Please post your questions with which you would like help. The ALSC ChildTech Listserv was discontinued as of April 1, 2007, because it was fairly inactive. We'll use this spot to fill that need, if it is indeed needed.

Question: Here at San Francisco PL, we have computers that are specifically loaded with children's software programs for kids to use while in the library. We are looking to update them, and as CD-ROMs continue to decline, we are not sure if we should still use this as our source for the computer programs we offer. We are looking into the Games on Demand service offered by Exent and are wondering what other libraries are using Games on Demand, or some other provider for appropriate, often educational, programs for children? What are you using, and are you happy with it?

Response: The Johnson County (KS) Library discontinued our CD-ROM computers several years ago and are phasing out our CD-ROM collection altogether. Currently we are not using any subscription provider for games but are providing links to Internet-based games from sites like http://www.funschool.com and http://www.prongo.com. Back in January, OverDrive, Inc. launched downloadable games similar to their downloadable audiobooks. The sales representative I spoke with said they were planning to add educational games in the near future. Sadly, I don't see anything on their product website (http://www.dlrinc.com) that tells what's happening with their game collection. - Bradley Debrick, Johnson County Library Youth Services

Response:I note that Overdrive will have a demo of their product at ALA....great partnership with Riverdeep which owns rights to some of the old Broderbund classics like Carmen Sandiego and more...I am very excited to see it! I think they're at booth 614 or something like that... - Celia Huffman, YOuth Services Manager, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Question:Scholastic Inc. has a new product - Bookflix that seems fairly child friendly. It doesn't go live until June and we do not subscribe at this time, but those of you who did buy the advance subscription - what was your rationale? www.scholastic.com/bookflix. Lisa Hamrick Manager, Children's Learning Center Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Response:Cuyahoga County Public Library is currently in the process of acquiring a subscription to BookFlix. There are many, what I consider, rationales for justifying this subscription...first of all, I consider it a means of building our online collection for children. We often have no trouble justifying the building of our print or audio/visual collections (in the traditional sense)...and our online collections should fit within that model as well...some might say, but I already have TumbleBooks or One More Story or others...but we don't limit our print collections to just a title or two...neither should we limit our online/electronic collections. Each of the above mentioned products all approach electronic story in a different and unique way...BookFlix, which also provides remote access to all of our patrons...cool!... presents both fiction and nonfiction electronic story in pairs using Weston Woods product and Scholastic nonfiction titles for early readers along with other added-value product such as comprehension questions, web info, author info and more. We were able to get a preview of this earlier this year. Subscription cost was recently reduced per a personal email from our local Scholastic rep. On a full-disclosure note..: )...I am currently working on a PhD in the area of children's response to electronic story, so I feel very strongly...wouldn't guess that one, would you? : )...about making sure that children have access to story in multiple formats...I believe that stories such as these can bridge children who learn differently to traditional texts... Celia Huffman, Youth Servies Manager, Cuyahoga County Public Library